Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-02-01

the stair under an ascending heavy tread,
and once the rattle Of a loose bar in the
banister. Trip heard the step at her
door. Nelly had come there to listen II
her mistress were asleep, to see II tho
room were dark. Apparently satisfied,
Nelly descended with less caution than
she had mounted. The woman thought
Trip a young, vain, pretty fool, not re-
curing much watching, incapable OF
giving much trouble.
Three O'Clock.
Still no signs of the return OF Mr.,
Beaufort Where could he be- What
could he be doing? Why should he con-
ceal his movements from his own wife?
Trip rose from the bed and went to the
window; at the head of the row was a
gaslight, none lower. Another would be
added, may be, when the row was COM
pleted and the houses let The road was
bad, furrowed with the wheels of carts
and traction engines that brought build
ing materials to the newly erecting houses
Surely the new day was dawning.
There was a raw light behind that house
opposite which was uninhabited. Surely
there was some discerning of the bushes
and rails of the little garden!
All at once, as Trip was considering
this, a conveyance stopped at the gate,
and four men jumped down, one stood by
the horse, and three Lifted something
from the trap and carried it to the house.
Nelly had opened the door. no bell rang.
Trip heard steps below in the little hall.
Then the horse and trap departed the
door of the house was bolted and locked,
and Trip heard the tread of the three
men who had entered the house go into
the back parlor. What they carried was
heavy, that she knew by the weight Of
their tread. She had opened her door,
and held il ajar, listening.
Not word was spoken to Nelly or by
the men, one of whom was probably Mr..
Beaufort
Trip seated herself on the side Of her
bed considering what she shoCld do. Her
heart beat fast and spasmodically. She
was she felt on the threshold Of a discov-
cry which might bring on her unuttera-
Bile wretchedness, and yeti would be q
relief to the uncomfortable suspense to
know the truth. What should she do?
Wait till morning, and then question her
husband, telling him frankly what she
had done and seen? Then he might evade
her questions as he had evaded them
hitherto.
Would it not be better for her to act at
once, go downstairs and confront him
with his friends and Nelly, and demand
an immediate explanation?
Trip stood up. Her determination was
made. Softly, silently, as Nelly had
stolen up the stairs, did Trip now steal
down. There was no light in the passage
below; but a little gray dawn crept in
through the staircase window. She
reached the hall and saw q light under
the back parlor door. She rested her
hand on the handle for one moment of
irresoluton. Then, as she had had the
strength once to launch herself on her
aerial flight, so did she now launch her
self on this excursion into the mystery
that went on in her own house. She
opened the door and stepped boldly in.
Before her, with terror on their faces,
stood three men in rough coats, and one,
though disguised, she recognized as her
husband. There also was Nelly. The
fire in the stove was glowing red and
over it was crucible.
On the table was spread out q quantity
of silver plate-kettles, candlesticks,
cream jugs, spoons, forks, platters, and
ranged as though in mockery, one after
the other, all round the table rim,
twenty-four little silver wheelbarrows
inscribed ''Propera."
"Trip uttered cry, "The Ringwood
platter